Robert Ansell joined Opus Fund Services in November 2022 after a career spanning London, Hong Kong and New York with both ING Barings and Macquarie Bank. Throughout most of that period, he was Global Co Head of Arbitrage Trading and then Head of US Cash Equities. His last role before Opus was Managing Partner at Birdsong Capital Management, LLC. Ansell brings with him nearly three decades of experience in global financial markets.

Throughout his career, James has provided a wide variety of accounting and audit services to financial services industry clients, including hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds, credit funds, investment management companies and broker-dealers. James’ clients have ranged from emerging managers to complex multinational fund complexes. His diverse client base provides the opportunity to share industry best practices and observations and allows him to serve as a trusted business advisor to his clients.

Prior to joining Citrin Cooperman, James worked as an audit partner at a Big 4 accounting firm. Before moving into public accounting, James started his career as an accountant in private industry. His time in private industry included roles as an assistant controller for a facilities management firm and as a controller and Series 27 Financial and Operations Principal (FINOP) for a broker-dealer. His experience in both private industry and public accounting gives him a unique perspective into the challenges his clients face.

Bruce Frumerman is CEO of Frumerman & Nemeth Inc., a 37-year-old financial communications and sales marketing consultancy that helps financial services firms create brand identities for their organizations and develop and implement effective new marketing strategies and programs. Frumerman & Nemeth’s work has helped money management firm clients attract over $7 billion in new assets, yet they are not third-party marketers.

Frumerman & Nemeth is internationally recognized for its work in crafting for clients the beyond-the-numbers story of how they invest — content that investment committees actually discuss, debate and vote on behind closed doors when considering firms on a short list for potential investment. Importantly, this is required due diligence content that cannot be communicated in pitchbook format.

Frumerman & Nemeth’s work also includes providing strategic consulting on product and strategy-specific branding, crafting the required strategy-specific content detail and designing and producing the marketing tools needed to make it through the two-month to two-year institutional selling cycle. Clients also employ Frumerman & Nemeth to help promote the intellectual acumen of management — helping them get speaking opportunities, write and give speeches as panelists or stand-alone speakers at industry conferences, and through media relations marketing services.

Mr. Frumerman can be reached at info@frumerman.com, or by visiting www.frumerman.com.

Christopher Mendez is a Senior Counsel in the New York office of Crowell & Moring. Chris is an experienced alternative investment attorney whose expertise spans the broader investment management industry, including advising on complex fund formation and transactional matters, as well as SEC examination and enforcement experience.

Chris has significant experience in the structuring and formation of a wide array of investment funds and other pooled investment vehicles, including hedge funds, credit funds, hybrid funds, private equity funds, real estate funds, digital asset funds, venture funds, single investor funds, co-investments, joint ventures, and separately managed accounts. In addition to fund formation, Chris has experience in corporate and fund-related transactions, including, seeding arrangements, spinouts, lift-outs, investment management, M&A, and new financial product development.

Prior to joining Crowell, Chris served as the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of an investment fund and firm client, Commonwealth Asset Management. He joined Commonwealth from Semper Capital Management, a credit-focused manager, where he was also General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer.

Jack Seibald has been involved in the financial markets for more than 40 years, during which time he has accumulated a broad range of experience in the investment business, including investment research, investment management, prime brokerage, and outsourced trading.

As Global Co-Head of Marex’s Prime Brokerage Services and Outsourced Trading, he focuses on accelerating the global expansion of these business lines and introducing new capabilities while continuing to prioritize a highs standard of client service. A key aspect of his role is overseeing a rapidly expanding and highly experienced global team (the former Cowen Prime Brokerage and Outsourced Trading team that transferred to Marex following its acquisition of the business). Together, they have grown a global market leading business, renowned for its buy-side ethos, the depth of its trading capabilities and its global multi-asset class expertise.

Jack is a firm believer in transparency and integrity, with a commitment to delivering the highest levels of service to all clients. In 2022 he was inducted into the Global Custodian Hall of Fame for his contributions to the industry.

Edward Tedeschi is a C Level financial investment executive with more than 45 years of experience. He is President and Chief Operating Officer of PB Investment Partners; a founding partner of Pave Finance and CEO of Pave Securities.

Prior to his current position he was the COO/CFO for Blueport Capital and served as Senior Advisory Board member for Constellation Advisors. Before that, he was the Lead Advisory Partner for the Western Region of KPMG’s Alternative Asset Division. He began his career in 1979 at Goldman Sachs & Co.

Ed has worked in a multitude of industry capacities, including Executive Committee Member and Audit Committee Member, and has had Senior Advisory roles with 801 West Capital Management, Bel Air Investment Advisors, GFS Advisors, Phoenix Investment Partners, and The Northern Trust Company.

He is active with various philanthropic organizations, including the Navy Seal Foundation.

Robert Akeson is managing director at Riverside Management Group (“RMG”), a boutique investment bank. At RMG, he focuses on advising asset managers, broker-dealers, fintech companies, and their supporting ecosystems on financial transactions. In addition, he is Managing Member of Solidus Advisors, LLC (“Solidus”), which advises asset managers and broker-dealers on start-up, operational, business, and succession planning matters.

Previously, he was Chief Operating Officer and Co-Head of Prime Brokerage at Mirae Asset Securities (USA) and was on the firm’s Management Committee. Also, Mr. Akeson ran Neuberger Berman’s prime brokerage, correspondent clearing, and related agency execution business. While at the firm, Mr. Akeson, served on the firm’s Operating Committee and on the SIA’s Clearing and Membership Committees. Additionally, Mr. Akeson has held management positions at Morgan Stanley, ICBC, and Broadridge’s predecessor, ADP BISG. He also has General Partner and Advisory Board level experience with small money management firms.

Mr. Akeson’s experience includes P&L management, corporate strategy, business development, operations, IT, compliance, risk management, due diligence, balance sheet and liquidity management. He also has extensive experience with FINRA New Member and Continuing Membership Applications for businesses including prime brokerage and portfolio margin. In addition, Mr. Akeson has led successful efforts to become self-clearing working with FINRA and clearinghouses, including DTCC, FICC, and OCC.

Mr. Akeson has been a member of the DTCC Systemic Risk Task Force and Chairman of the Business Management Interest Group of the CFA Society New York. He currently serves on the Management Committee of the New York Alternative Investment Roundtable, where he hosts a podcast. In addition, he is a member of the Economic Club of New York. Mr. Akeson earned an MBA from New York University and a BA from Washington College. He holds the following licenses/ registrations, SIE, 7, 9, 10, 24, 63, 79, and 99.